Military Aircraft: Helicopters
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters belonging to each of the armed services are in (a) the UK, (b) Afghanistan and (c) other locations. [124283]
Mr Dunne [holding answer 22 October 2012]: The total number of helicopters currently in service with the armed forces is shown in the following table:
| Service | UK | Other Locations(1) |
| (1) Other locations where helicopters are permanently based are the Falklands, Germany, Brunei and Canada. | ||
Of those helicopters permanently based in the UK a proportion will be deployed on operations and exercises. However, I am withholding the actual number of helicopters deployed in Afghanistan as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Navy: Pay
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the salaries of senior officers in the Royal Navy. [122280]
Mr Francois: There are no plans to reduce the salaries of senior officers in the Royal Navy.
Reserve Forces: Employment
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he plans to encourage employers to release reservists for the required extended periods of service; and what incentives and rewards he plans to provide. [122630]
Mr Francois [holding answer 17 October 2012]: A greater reliance on reserves will demand a closer relationship that benefits Defence, the employer and the reservist. We want to move towards relationships with employers based on partnering and giving greater predictability and certainty to when a reservist will be required for training or deployment.
The Ministry of Defence will examine the effects which the adoption of the Whole Force Concept will have on employers, through the Future Reserves 2020 consultation exercise later this year. In spring 2013, following analysis of the responses, we expect to publish a White Paper detailing the future policy.
Royal Military Police: Sexual Offences
Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of rape were reported to Royal Military Police in each year between 2001 and 2012; how many such cases proceeded to courts martial in each year; and in how many such cases of these cases the Service Prosecuting Authority (or its antecedent bodies) secured a conviction. [122566]
Mr Francois: In the event of an allegation of rape being made against a member of the armed forces serving overseas, the appropriate service police for each of the three services will usually investigate; this is normally the Royal Military Police in respect of the Army. In the UK, however, while there may be concurrent jurisdiction, the civilian police usually have primacy for investigation.
Information relating to the number of rape allegations reported to the Royal Military Police against members of the Army for them to investigate is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following table details the number of courts-martial and number of convictions of Army personnel for rape and attempted rape:
| Number of courts-martial of Army personnel for rape and attempted rape | Number of convictions at courts-martial of Army personnel for rape and attempted rape | |
| (1 )One was later quashed on appeal | ||
These data may include civilians under Army jurisdiction across the period and, until October 2009, Royal Marines.
Sir John Kiszely
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any brigadiers have met Sir John Kiszely in an official capacity since May 2010. [123926]
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Mr Philip Hammond: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Territorial Army
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the average age of the reserve forces by encouraging younger people to join the Territorial Army. [122428]
Mr Francois: The Territorial Army (TA) currently recruits officers and soldiers from the age of 18. There are no specific plans to reduce the average age of those currently serving in the TA but the TA is currently recruiting to achieve the manning required for them to become an integrated part of the Army under the Army 2020 plans. The TA offers interesting and challenging opportunities for a wide range of individuals; applications from young adults are encouraged.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 September 2012, Official Report, column 418W, in which I stated the Army intends to spend £5 million in financial year (FY) 2012-13 on the TA recruiting campaign and are now drawing up plans for the marketing campaigns in FY 2013-14.
Current incentives for younger people include the Officer Training Corps which is part of the TA and whose purpose is to develop the leadership potential of university students, raising awareness of the Army and building interest in its career opportunities without obligation.
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider renaming the Territorial Army the Army Reserve to reflect its revised role. [123378]
Mr Francois: As announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 5 July 2012, Official Report, column 66WS, we are currently in the process of reshaping the Reserves for their future role as part of the integrated Army 2020 force. A Green Paper is being prepared, setting out proposals on how we can establish the right relationships with society as a whole, and with employers and reservists in particular, to sustain our Reserve Forces in the future.
Following consultation, we will be able to make informed decisions early next year. One of the areas being considered is renaming the Territorial Army as part of wider work to rebrand the Army's Reserve to better reflect its future roles in the integrated force. It should be noted that any future change to the name of the Territorial Army would ultimately require legislation.
Veterans
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department provides to former service personnel to (a) help them find civilian work and (b) offer financial advice to them and their family. [124772]
Mr Francois: I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), on 22 October 2012, Official Report, column 679, to the hon. Member for Salford and Eccles (Hazel Blears).
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Advice given to service leavers includes “financial aspects of resettlement” briefings, to which spouses and partners are also invited, covering budget and debt management. Some 70 briefings are delivered across the UK and overseas each year. Included in the brief is advice on managing pension schemes and the charity-led ‘Benefits and Money Advice' service.
Service leavers also have access to lifelong employment support through the Regular Forces Employment Association and Officers Association.
Veterans: Radiation Exposure
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps his Department has taken to reach agreement with nuclear test veterans over their claims for damages. [124518]
Mr Francois: There have been no recent steps by the Ministry of Defence to reach agreement over claims for damages in view of the Court of Appeal ruling in November 2010 and the Supreme Court ruling in March 2012 against the Atomic Veterans case proceeding,
Cabinet Office
Civil Servants: Pensions
Sadiq Khan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to bring forward legislative proposals to extend the New Deal proposals to allow members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme who have been transferred to a private contractor under TUPE regulations to retain membership of the scheme. [122998]
Mr Maude: On 4 July 2012, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced in a written ministerial statement, Official Report, column 53WS, that the Government had reviewed the Fair Deal policy and agreed to maintain the overall approach, but deliver it by offering access to public service pension schemes for transferring staff. In order for access to be extended to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, it will be necessary to amend current legislation. The proposed amendment is contained in the Public Service Pensions Bill (clause 26 and schedule 9). Subject to being passed by both Houses and receiving Royal Assent the provision will come into force on the day the Act is passed (clause 37(1)(a)).
David Hartnett
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what process HM Revenue and Customs followed to inform David Hartnett prior to his retirement as Permanent Secretary for Tax of the requirement to make an application under the Rules of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments when taking up employment outside government. [121945]
Mr Maude: It is for HMRC to remind all retiring employees of their obligations under the Business Appointment Rules, as set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
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Duchy of Cornwall
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish the criteria used to determine when Departments and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel should consult the Duchy of Cornwall to gain its consent before proceeding with primary legislation. [124758]
Miss Chloe Smith: The signification of the Queen's and the Prince of Wales's consent for certain Bills is a parliamentary requirement. The Cabinet Office ‘Guide to Making Legislation’ provides advice to Government Departments on seeking the Queen's and the Prince of Wales's consent and is available on the Cabinet Office website.
Embassies
Mr Spellar: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which UK embassies and high commissions process applications for visas originating in other countries. [123386]
Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
Although based in Foreign and Commonwealth Office premises, UK Border Agency officials process visa applications.
Decision-making hubs in the following locations process applications from outside their host country:
British high commissions: Accra (Ghana), Nairobi (Kenya), Kingston (Jamaica), New Delhi (India).
British deputy high commission: Chennai (India).
British consulate general: Pretoria (South Africa), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), New York (USA), Istanbul (Turkey).
British embassies: Bangkok (Thailand), Beijing (China), Belgrade (Serbia), Bogota (Colombia), Manila (Philippines), Cairo (Egypt), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Amman (Jordan), Rome (Italy), Warsaw (Poland), Madrid (Spain), Stockholm (Sweden), Paris (France).
An additional location for decision making is the UK Visa Section.
Employment Schemes
Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate how many people engaged in Government-supported employment and training programmes will enter employment in the next quarter. [124895]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for an estimate of how many people engaged in Government-supported employment and training programmes will enter employment in the next quarter. (124895)
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This information is not available, as the Office for National Statistics does not forecast estimates of employment.
Immigration: EU Nationals
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many people are resident in the UK under Article 12 of European Directive 2004/38/EC, on the grounds that their associated national from an EU country has departed the UK; [124745]
(2) of those nationals of other EU countries and their associated family members who are resident in the UK on the basis of Article 7(1)(a) of European Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of EU member states, how many are resident on the basis of (a) Article 7(3)(a), (b) Article 7(3)(b), (c) Article 7(3)(c) and (d) Article 7(3)(d) of that directive; [124249]
(3) how many nationals of other EU countries and their associated family members are resident in the UK on the basis of each of the following provisions of European Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of EU Member States (a) Article 6, (b) Article 7(1)(a), (c) Article 7(1)(b), (d) Article 7(1)(c) and (e) Article 14(4)(b). [124251]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking:
1. Of those nationals of other EU countries and their associated family members who are resident in the UK on the basis of Article 7(1)(a) of European Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of EU member states, how many are resident on the basis of (a) Article 7(3)(a), (b) Article 7(3)(b), (c) Article 7(3){c) and (d) Article 7(3)(d) of that Directive. [124249]
2. How many nationals of other EU countries and their associated family members are resident in the UK on the basis of each of the following provisions of European Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of EU Member States (a) Article 6, (b) Article 7(1 )(a), (c) Article 7(1 )(b), (d) Article 7(1)(c) and (e) Article 14(4)(b). [124251]
3. How many people are resident in the UK under Article 12 of European Directive 2004/38/EC, on the grounds that their associated national from an EU country has departed the UK. [124745]
The Office for National Statistics collects data on nationality from the Labour force Survey (LFS), which is a household survey of residents of the UK. It should be noted the survey does not include people living in most types of communal establishment.
The LFS does not collect any information from respondents on the specific Article of the European Directive that allows them to reside in the UK. However, Table 1 provides figures on the number of nationals resident in the UK and their economic status.
| Table 1: Economic activity of residents in the UK, by nationality, three months ending June 2012, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted | |||||
| Thousand | |||||
| In employment | ILO unemployed | Inactive | Aged 16 and over population | Population of people aged 0-15 | |
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| Note: Includes people who have not stated their nationality. Source: Labour Force Survey | |||||
Ministerial Visits: Nottinghamshire
Mr Spencer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what ministerial visits to (a) the City of Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire have taken place since May 2010. [121767]
Mr Maude: Diary information for all Ministers is not held centrally. However, as part of this Government's transparency programme meetings with external organisations and individuals are published on departmental websites.
Older Workers
Martin Horwood: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the number of people over 65 who have formed part of the working population in each of the last 30 years. [124920]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for the number of people over 65 who have formed part of the working population in each of the last 30 years.(124920)
The table shows the number of people aged 65 and over in employment for each year from 1993 to 2011. There are no annual figures available for this series prior to 1993.
These estimates are sourced from the Labour Force Survey, a survey of households. There is a degree of uncertainty associated with these estimates as is the case with all estimates derived from sample surveys. The sampling variability attached to the estimate of 872,000 people for 2011 is +/- 74,000.
| Number of people in employment aged 65 and over | |
| Number (thousand) | |
| Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key: * 0 ≤ CV<5%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered precise ** 5 ≤ CV <10%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 ≤ CV <20%—Statistical Robustness: Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20%—Statistical R Note: The above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels mobile home sites etc.) Source: Labour Force Survey | |
Terrorism: Greater London
John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many complaints his Department has received about the 7 July London terrorist bombings from victims or victims' families that remain unresolved. [123402]
James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
The Home Office is the lead Government Department on the cross-Government response to the London bombings of 7 July 2005. Investigations indicate that the Department does not have any outstanding correspondence with either the victims or victims’ families.
The Home Office understands that there remain three outstanding claims with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority which relate to the 7/7 bombings. The Ministry of Justice in England has lead Government responsibility for the authority.
The Government submitted a formal response to the coroner in June 2011, and a report was published on 21 May 2012 setting out what progress had been made since June 2011 by the Government and by other organisations in response to the coroner's recommendations and other comments.
Women and Equalities
Anti-slavery Day
Mr Bone: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps the Government are taking to promote anti-slavery day. [123680]
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Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Home Department.
Ministers from the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group on human trafficking, including myself, undertook a range of activities to raise awareness of this important issue.
Scotland
Cleaning Services
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to require all cleaning contracts held by his Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used and their ingredients should not have been tested on animals. [125025]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not contract for cleaning services. Cleaning services are obtained through central procurement contracts set up by the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Justice.
Communities and Local Government
Council Tax
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how the freeze in the council tax grant for 2013-14 will be calculated for each local authority; [124824]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the methodology which calculated the amount of the 2013-14 council tax freeze grant on the basis of a one per cent increase in council tax. [124893]
Brandon Lewis: The Government's press notice of 8 October set out the details of the scheme:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_89_12.htm
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how the council tax freeze grant for 2013-14 will be funded; whether any money will be top-sliced from the 2013-14 Local Government Finance settlement to contribute to the grant; and if he will make a statement. [124896]
Brandon Lewis: As the Government's press notice of 8 October said, the Government will set aside an extra £450 million to help freeze council tax bills in England:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_89_12.htm
This will be funded as part of the autumn statement package.
Council Tax Benefits
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of people of working age claiming council tax benefit between 2010-11 and 2013-14 in each local authority area; [124049]
(2) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the number of claims for council tax benefit in the year 2013-14 for each local authority area; and if he will place in the Library copies of all relevant documentation used in making that estimate. [124050]
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Brandon Lewis [holding answer 19 October 2012]: The change in the number of working age claimants by local authority for council tax benefit between 2010-11 and 2013-14 is not available. National forecasts by the Department for Work and Pensions indicate that council tax benefit caseload (the average number in receipt), for those below state pension age, in England, will fall from 2012-13 to 2013-14.
This does not take into account the potential benefits from localisation, which will give councils new incentives to help people get back into work and off benefits.
Electric Cables
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with UK electrical cabling manufacturers on preventing the import and installation of counterfeit or falsely marked electrical cabling. [121604]
Michael Fallon: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Officials from BIS and its predecessor Department have been discussing the issue of unsafe cables with UK manufacturers since 2009. This directly led to a market surveillance investigation into the state of the market by the Health and Safety Executive which concluded that while some cable did not meet the standards it claimed it was generally not unsafe and complied with product safety legislation. Industry representatives have also attended the Market Surveillance Co-ordination Committee Stakeholder Group which discusses the UK's strategic approach to market surveillance in relation to product safety.
Marketing falsely marked products to businesses in the UK would fall within the scope of the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 which are enforced by local authority trading standards services.
Empty Property: Lancaster
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library a copy of the bid form submitted to his Department by Lancaster city council for the Clusters of Empty Homes Funding outlining its commitment to match funding for the scheme. [123656]
Mr Foster [holding answer 18 October 2012]:A copy of Lancaster city council's application for funding for the Clusters of Empty Homes programme will be placed in the Library of the House.
Fire Services
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whether any decision has been made on funding for the Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14; [124443]
(2) when he plans to make decisions on funding for Fire and Rescue Service in 2013-14. [124444]
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Brandon Lewis: We expect the Local Government Finance settlement for 2013-14 to be announced in late December after the autumn statement.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the evidential basis is that will inform his decision on fire and rescue service funding for 2013-14. [124643]
Brandon Lewis: The basis for the Business Rates Retention scheme under which fire and rescue authorities will be funded was set out in the recent technical consultation on Business Rates Retention that began on 17 July and ended on 24 September 2012. The consultation is available at
http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/brr/sumcon/index.htm
We will also take into account any broader representations on fire funding and the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2013-14.
Housing
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria in respect of (a) housing need and (b) housing demand his Department requires to be used in drawing up local plans. [124902]
Mr Prisk: The Government's planning policies for housing are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. Local planning authorities should prepare a Strategic Housing Market Assessment to assess their full housing needs, working with neighbouring authorities where housing market areas cross administrative boundaries. The Strategic Housing Market Assessment should identify the scale and mix of housing and the range of tenures that the local population is likely to need over the plan period which: meets household and population projections, taking account of migration and demographic change; addresses the need for all types of housing, including affordable housing, and the needs of different groups in the community; and caters for housing demand and the scale of housing supply necessary to meet this demand.
Local planning authorities should use their evidence base to ensure that their local plan meets the full, objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing in the housing market area, as far as is consistent with the policies set out in the framework.
Housing: Construction
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2012, Official Report, column 304W, on housing: construction, what questions Glenigan ask of developers (a) to ascertain the commercial unviability of sites and (b) in respect of the effect on viability of affordable housing requirements. [124918]
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Mr Prisk: Glenigan researchers contact developers about individual sites with planning permission and ask ‘is the site going ahead', if the response is ‘no' they are asked 'why' and the individual response is then recorded in free text.
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2012, Official Report, column 304W, on housing: construction, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Glenigan database. [124919]
Nick Boles: The Glenigan database is not publicly available and therefore a copy cannot be placed in the Library of the House. Glenigan—http://www.glenigan.com/ —is a private company which supplies its customers with information on the status of planning applications and tracks UK construction developments through to completion. This information is supplied purely for internal business use by its clients. Under its licence agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency, Glenigan allows DCLG to publish information on the number of stalled residential sites at a national level.
More detailed information is available commercially from Glenigan.
Local Government Finance
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the percentage change in formula grant in real terms was for each local authority between 1997-98 and 2009-10. [123700]
Brandon Lewis [holding answer 18 October 2012]: Meaningful, like-for-like comparisons for individual local authorities over the period cannot be made, due to changes in the function, structure and funding of local government from 1997-98 to 2009-10.
Planning Permission: Appeals
Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of planning decisions made by each planning authority in England have been overturned on appeal in each of the last 10 years. [124511]
Nick Boles: The proportion of planning decisions overturned on appeal is not centrally available.
The Planning Inspectorate publishes information on the number of appeals by local authority, including the proportion that have been allowed. This can be found at:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/planninginspectorate/statistics
Culture, Media and Sport
Digital Broadcasting
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what measures she is taking to promote the development and use of (a) international and (b) national digital television standards in the UK's digital industries. [124584]
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Mr Vaizey [holding answer 24 October 2012]: The Government continue to maintain direct links with the formal standards bodies that cover television standards, i.e. the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and we also maintain an ongoing engagement with the Digital Television Group (DTG), Intellect and UK broadcasters. This enables us to maintain our visibility of future television technology and standardisation developments and provides the assurance that European and international television standardisation efforts remain linked and relevant to the UK market.
Government Art Collection Advisory Committee
Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on what date the most recent meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection took place. [124908]
Mr Vaizey: The most recent meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection took place on 12 July 2012.
Music: Tickets
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether she plans to review the regulation of the ticket resale market for music and other popular cultural events to ensure a supply of reasonably priced tickets to customers. [122372]
Hugh Robertson: The Government have no plans to regulate the ticketing market. We will, however, continue to monitor this area, and, if new evidence comes forward of severe market failures that need addressing, we will review this position.
Richard III
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans her Department has for the potential burial of the remains of King Richard III. [122379]
Mrs Grant: My Department issued a licence to exhume human remains which could be those of Richard III. Remains have now been exhumed and archaeologists are currently carrying out tests to determine the identity of the remains. Should they be found to be those of Richard III, the current plan is for them to be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral.
Television: Sports
Mr David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the potential link between high profile sporting events being broadcast free-to-air and participation in amateur sports. [124507]
Mr Vaizey:
In 2009, as part of the Department's review of free-to-air listed events, the independent panel addressed the impact of listing on participation, and the widespread assumption that the larger the audience that watched top-level sport, the greater the impact on
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participation and excellence at grassroots level. The panel commissioned two research projects—the British Market Research Bureau's ‘Free-to-air events—Understanding the Public's Views’ and Frontier Economics' ‘The Impact of Listed Events on the Viewing and Funding of Sports’. The findings from both, which can be found at the following link:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/6434.aspx
could not establish any causality between participating in sport and viewing habits.
Prime Minister
Leveson Inquiry
Chris Bryant: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2012, Official Report, column 449W, on the Leveson Inquiry and with reference to his letter of 18 October 2012 to the right hon. Member for Camberwell and Peckham, (1) if he will place in the Library all (a) texts, (b) emails and (c) details of any form of communication between himself and Rebekah Brooks since May 2010; [124827]
(2) if he will place in the Library all (a) texts, (b) emails and (c) other forms of communication between himself and Andy Coulson between 23 January 2011 to date; [124828]
(3) how many (a) texts, (b) emails and (c) other forms of communication between himself and (i) Rebekah Brooks, (ii) Andy Coulson, (iii) Rupert Murdoch and (iv) James Murdoch since May 2010 have not been provided to the Leveson Inquiry or put in the public domain; [124829]
(4) if he will place in the Library a copy of the criteria used to determine whether (a) texts, (b) emails and (c) other forms of communication between himself and (i) Rebekah Brooks, (ii) Andy Coulson and (iii) News International should be (A) provided to the Leveson Inquiry and (B) made public; [124830]
(5) if he will place in the Library an estimate of what the cost to the public purse has been of assessing whether (a) texts, (b) emails and (c) other forms of communication between himself and (i) Rebekah Brooks, (ii) Andy Coulson and (iii) News International since May 2010 should be provided to the Leveson Inquiry and made public. [124831]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 October 2012, Official Report, column 921, to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Robert Flello).
Transport
A1
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of the A1 have no road markings; and what his Department's policy is on replacing worn or damaged stretches where road markings are absent. [124594]
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Stephen Hammond: There are no sections of the A1 or A1(M) managed by the Highways Agency that have no road markings.
Where defects to road markings require prompt attention because they represent an immediate or imminent hazard, Highways Agency service providers are required to repair them within defined time scales to ensure safety of the road users.
Where there is a case for a more comprehensive renewal of road markings, service providers will develop planned maintenance schemes for consideration by the Highways Agency. The value for money of these schemes will be assessed alongside others to ensure the best use of available funds.
Driving Tests
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he has taken to increase the number of multi-purpose driving test centres; [124588]
(2) what target he has set for the number of operational multi-purpose driving test centres; and how many are currently in operation. [124589]
Stephen Hammond: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) currently has 51 test centres delivering car driving tests and module 1 motorcycling tests.
In June 2010, Ministers announced a review into the delivery of the practical motorcycling test. The review is still under way and, pending publication of its recommendations, the DSA will not invest additional sums in multi-purpose test centres.
However, as an interim measure, additional low-cost “casual hire” sites are being considered. Negotiations are under way for a site in Stoke-on-Trent and another site is being assessed for suitability on Stornaway. Other casual hire sites will be considered as they become available.
Driving: Licensing
Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the waiting time is for driving licences being reissued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency medical advisory panel. [124519]
Stephen Hammond: The time taken for a driving licence to be issued where medical investigations are necessary will vary depending on the complexity of the case. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency categorises cases as simple and complex. Those where further medical information is required from the licence holder or the medical professional managing their treatment are considered complex.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's target is to complete 90% of simple cases within 15 working days and 88% of complex cases within 90 days. So far this year the agency has achieved an average performance level of 89% for simple cases and 87% for complex cases.
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High Speed 2 Railway Line
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when (a) he and (b) his predecessor last met with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss plans for HS2. [125147]
Mr Simon Burns: There have been no formal meetings between either the Secretary of State for Transport or his predecessor specifically to discuss plans for HS2. However, officials from both Departments meet regularly to discuss HS2.
Motor Vehicles: Testing
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether vehicle testing is regarded as a sovereign matter by the European Union. [122672]
Stephen Hammond: The European Commission in proposing a regulation about roadworthiness tests states that ‘Roadworthiness is a sovereign activity’. The Commission proposes a regulation because it considers the implementation by member states of technical requirements set at an EU level has led to a high diversity in requirements with negative impacts both on road safety and the internal market.
The HoC Scrutiny Committee has referred the proposed legislation for a debate on a Reasoned Opinion which questions the justification by the EC for this approach in respect of competence to act at a supranational level.
The Department intends to challenge strongly any provisions that imply costs for Government, the public or industry.
Motorcycles
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the possible effect on jobs in small and medium-sized enterprises which produce motorcycle parts and accessories due to proposals at EU level for legislation on anti-tampering for motorcycles. [124548]
Stephen Hammond: There are no plans to make a separate assessment of the possible effect on jobs. However, an impact assessment of the EU regulation, including anti-tampering measures, was carried out to support negotiations on the new regulation, and this included a small firms impact test.
The impact assessment is available on the DFT website and can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-26/
Motorcycles: Driving Tests
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he plans to publish the review of the Driving Standards Agency's implementation and delivery of the module 1 part of the motorcycle test; [124547]
(2) how many participants have taken part in his trial of a unified motorcycle test; [124591]
(3) what assessment he has made of his trial of a unified motorcycle test; and when he expects the results of that trial to be published. [124592]
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Stephen Hammond: The technical aspects of module 1 were revised in May 2011, as part of interim changes to the motorcycle test:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/stories/dsa-news-20110328
The number of participants that have been involved in the research trials, to date, is 250; this includes test ready learner riders, trainers and DSA driving examiners.
An assessment of the trials will be made once the research has concluded. The results of the research will be published alongside the public consultation, on any proposed changes to the motorcycle test, which is expected to commence in the spring.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many individuals have completed two or more compulsory bike tests, since the introduction of the new testing procedures. [124549]
Stephen Hammond: As at 22 October 2012, there have been 68,187 individuals that have completed two or more practical motorcycling tests since the introduction of the two-part test on 27 April 2009. These include those who have taken either:
more than one module 1 test but no module 2 test; or
module 1 and module 2 tests with more than one attempt at either or both modules.
In addition, 70,478 individuals have taken a single module 1 and single module 2 test.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the establishment of the module 1 motorcycle test, what estimate he has made of the (a) rate of accidents during the new test and (b) effect of weather conditions on the rate of accidents. [124550]
Stephen Hammond: Since the introduction of the 2-part practical motorcycling test on 27 April 2009, there have been:
776 incidents on module 1 tests, and
223 incidents on module 2 tests.
The rate of incidents has been monitored closely since the test was introduced. The Driving Standards Agency conducted around 62,500 tests in the last 12 months to August 2012. There were 2.7 incidents per 1,000 tests for that period—which is a reduction from 3.3 incidents over the previous 12 month period.
The incident rate is currently 1.3 incidents per 1,000 tests. The majority (83%) of these were minor in nature and only 26 were serious reportable incidents. Serious incidents are defined as those where the candidate received medical attention and was taken straight to hospital from the test site.
No analysis has been carried out into the effect of weather conditions on incidents on test.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has undertaken a comparative assessment of the pass rate of motorcycle tests in the UK with that of other EU countries. [124551]
Stephen Hammond:
CIECA, the international commission for driver testing authorities compiles data about driving and riding test rates. The comparative
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pass rates of those member states who declared their category A1, A2 and A test pass rates (measured in % passed) in 2011 were:
| Percentage | |||
| CIECA country | A1 | A2 | A |
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorcycle driving instructors and trainers he estimates were operating in (a) August 2008 and (b) August 2012. [124552]
Stephen Hammond: No data are available for the number of motorcycle instructors in 2008. In October 2009, 2,675 certificates were held by motorcycling instructors delivering compulsory basic training and direct access training.
Since April 2011, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published official statistics on the Department for Transport (DFT) website about the number of certificates issued to motorcycling instructors delivering compulsory basic training and direct access training. These figures are produced quarterly and in June 2012 there were 2,849 certificates held.
Other types of motorcycling instruction such as pre-test training are unregulated and no data is held about the number of instructors operating in those sectors.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to seek a derogation from the EU requirement of a 50 kilometre an hour speed for certain elements of the module 1 motorcycle test to allow the merger of that module with module 2 of the motorcycle test. [124587]
Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport review into the delivery of the practical motorcycling test is still ongoing. One of a range of options under consideration is for the higher speed manoeuvres to be carried out on road at or around the urban speed limit of 30 mph. Once the review is complete we will be in a position to determine whether a derogation is necessary.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what comparative estimate he has made of the rate of accidents at permanent motorcycle test centres and that at casual sites. [124590]
Stephen Hammond: The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) monitors the rate of incidents during all testing and training activity at all DSA and trainer owned locations—including on road training and testing.
The number of incidents, at both permanent and casual testing sites, since the two-part practical motorcycling test was introduced, is shown in the following table:
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| Test | Permanent site | Casual site |
All serious incidents are followed up and investigated where appropriate to determine the cause and to provide advice and support to those involved.
Network Rail
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when a Minister last reviewed Network Rail's derivative losses; [125154]
(2) what limits he plans to place on Network Rail's derivative dealings. [125155]
Mr Simon Burns: Network Rail is a private company operating as a commercial business. Network Rail is directly responsible to its members and is regulated by the independent Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). The issue of Network Rail's derivatives is therefore a matter for the company and the ORR.
Piracy
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department has issued to UK merchant shipping on anti-piracy measures. [124792]
Stephen Hammond:
The Department for Transport published ‘Interim Guidance to UK Flagged Shipping on the Use of Armed Guards to Defend against the
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Threat of Piracy in Exceptional Circumstances’ on 6 December 2011 with a subsequent revision published in June 2012 (version 1.1). The guidance was produced in consultation with key industry stakeholders including the Chamber of Shipping and other Government Departments. It contains specific reference to the industry developed ‘Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy’ (BMP).
The Department recommends that the armed guards guidance is read alongside the DFT ‘Guidance to UK Flagged Shipping on Measures to Counter Piracy, Armed Robbery and other Acts of Violence against Merchant Shipping’ which was published in November 2011.
Roads: Repairs and Maintenance
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what investment the Highways Agency has made in roads (a) in Essex, (b) in the Braintree district, (c) in the Malden district, (d) in Colchester borough, (e) along the A12 and (f) along the A120 in each of the last five years; and what investment plans are in place over each of the next five years. [122847]
Stephen Hammond: A breakdown of annual spend by county, local authority area or by route is not available. The available information for capital(1) expenditure along the A12(2) and A120(3) for the most recent five year period is shown in the following table. The figures in this table exclude some capital expenditure on the A12 and A120 that was funded from area wide or non route specific budgets. Route specific information for this type of expenditure is not available.
| £ | |||||
| Route | 2008-09 | 2009-10(4) | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13(5) |
| (1) Capital expenditure is investment in items such as new roads, resurfacing, replacement of lighting columns, central reserve safety barrier, etc as opposed to Resource expenditure which is generally routine maintenance such as minor repairs, grass cutting, light bulbs etc. Information on annual resource expenditure by county, local authority area or specific route is not available. (2) Includes the sections of the A12 between the M25 and Ipswich and between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. (3 )Includes the sections of the A120 between the M11 and the A12 at Marks Tey and between A12 Junction 29 (Colchester) and Harwich. (4) From 2009-10 onwards all schemes valued over £100,000 are treated as capital expenditure. (5) Forecast expenditure for 2012-13 as at 3 October 2012. (6) Estimated capital expenditure for Variable Message Signs (VMS) and CCTV cameras. Actual expenditure by route is not available. | |||||
Future spend is dependent on annual funding allocations by the Department for Transport. Funding allocations for 2013-14 will be available in January 2013 when budgets for the coming year have been finalised.
Investment for future major schemes is set through the spending review. There are currently no plans for major schemes on the A12 and A120 in Essex in the current review period to 2014-15.
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the Highways Agency monitors contracts requiring the repair or replacement of road markings at times when a section of road is not being renewed. [124553]
Stephen Hammond: Highways Agency maintenance contracts require service providers to maintain the paved carriageway, including road markings and studs, to defined standards. These standards include performance requirements for the repair of serious defects within defined timescales.
Service providers are subject to regular audit and performance monitoring by the Highways Agency to ensure contractual requirements are being met.
Roads: Safety
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety rating system for the UK roads network is used by his Department. [124611]
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Stephen Hammond: The Department does not have a safety rating system for the UK roads network but takes note of the output from the work done by the Road Safety Foundation and European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) to assess the risks associated with the UK roads network.
Thameslink Railway Line
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether his officials have provided him in the last six months with an estimate of the date the new Thameslink rolling stock will be delivered; and what that date is; [124445]
(2) whether his officials have provided him in the last six months with an estimate of the date the new Thameslink rolling stock will be delivered; and whether that date differs from that previously announced by his Department. [124446]
Mr Simon Burns: We expect the first trains to be delivered for testing on the network in summer 2015 and deployment of the full fleet to be completed towards the end of 2018.
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his officials have provided advice to him on what steps the Government would need to take to secure the provision of new rolling stock for Thameslink if it is not possible to reach financial close with Siemens. [124447]
Mr Simon Burns: Department officials are working with Siemens to secure financial close early in the new year for the new trains for Thameslink. I am aware of the consequences of failing to conclude the procurement and as you would expect, my Department is closely monitoring progress, including assessing options were it not possible to secure financial close.
Tonnage Tax
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which shipping companies qualified for the tonnage tax scheme in each year since 2000-01. [125182]
Stephen Hammond: The question of whether or not a particular company or group qualifies for inclusion in the tonnage tax is, in the first instance, a matter for HM Revenue and Customs.
HM Revenue and Customs administer tonnage tax and are prevented from disclosing the names of companies and groups within it, in accordance with their duty of confidentiality set out in the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) jobs and growth in the shipping industry and (b) the operation of the tonnage tax scheme of the European Commission's Limassol Declaration of 7 October 2012. [125183]
Stephen Hammond:
This Department welcomes the emphasis in the Declaration upon the importance of facilitating growth and hence employment in the maritime
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sector. No assessment has been made of the effect of the Declaration. However, growth and jobs in the maritime sector are of significant importance to the UK economy and tonnage tax continues to help maintain the competitiveness of the UK shipping industry.
Home Department
Airguns
Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were investigated by the police for the illegal use of airguns in each of the last five years. [124227]
Damian Green: This information is not collected centrally.
The Home Office collects data from police forces on the number of offences committed that involve air weapons, but not the number of people who are investigated by the police.
Burglary: Self-defence
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will review the law on self-defence in the event of a burglary; and if she will make a statement. [123961]
Damian Green: As my hon. Friend will be aware, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State recently outlined plans to give householders greater legal protection to protect themselves from burglars. These proposals will mean that if a householder fears for their safety when confronted by a burglar and acts in the heat of the moment to protect themselves or their family or guests using force that was reasonable in the circumstances as they genuinely believed them to be, they will not be guilty of an offence if it is found in the cold light of day that their actions were disproportionate. They will only be guilty if the level of force used was grossly disproportionate. This should give householders greater confidence that the law is on their side. Procedures to legislate will be undertaken as soon as parliamentary time allows.
College of Policing
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to appoint an interim chair of the College of Policing. [124382]
Damian Green: We will update Parliament shortly.
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date she expects the College of Policing to become operational. [124383]
Damian Green: The College of Policing will be operational in December this year.
Crime
Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of rape were reported in each of the last five years; [124087]
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(2) how many incidents of robbery were reported in each of the last five years; [124088]
(3) how many incidents of theft from a vehicle were reported in each of the last five years. [124089]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Glen Watson, dated October 2012:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking the following:
how many incidents of robbery were reported in each of the last five years. (124088)
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how many incidents of rape were reported in each of the last five years.(124087)
how many incidents of theft from a vehicle were reported in each of the last five years. (124089)
The table shows the number of incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales for each of the offence types in question, from 2007/08 to 2011/12. These data are published each quarter, with the latest figures available from Table A4 within 'Crime Statistics: Appendix tables - Crime in England and Wales, year ending June 2012'. The table includes the latest period for completeness, and gives the codes of the individual offences that make up each group, as used in Table A4.
The data provided in the table cover England and Wales only. Crime figures for Scotland are published at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice
and data for Northern Ireland are published at:
http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/updates_statistics/update_crime_statistics.htm
| Police recorded crime for selected offences, 2007-08 to 2011-12, England and Wales | ||||||
| Offence | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 12 months to June 2012 |
| (1) Current GBH classifications were introduced from 1 April 2008 and replaced an earlier classification. This group of offences includes offences 5A 8F, 8H. It therefore includes endangering life and racially or religiously aggravated inflicting GBH as well as GBH with intent, though GBH with intent is the major part of this category. (2) This group covers offences 8G and 8J. Current ABH classifications were introduced from 1 April 2008 and replaced an earlier classification. This group of offences includes racially or religiously aggravated inflicting ABH. (3) This group covers offences 19A-19H, covering rapes of males and females of all ages. (4) Prior to 2009-10, a small number of offences continued to be recorded relating to offences repealed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. While these may have been legitimately recorded for offences committed prior to May 2004 it is also possible that some may have been recorded in these old categories in error, so any changes based on small numbers should be interpreted with caution. (5) This group includes offences 34A and 34B, covering robberies of business and personal property. (6) This offence has a code of 45. | ||||||
Domestic Violence
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of incidents of domestic violence (a) committed and (b) reported to the police in each region in the last 12 months. [123249]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Estimates of the number of domestic violence crimes committed against adults, as reported to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (formerly the British Crime Survey), cannot be broken down by region.
The number of domestic violence incidents reported to the police in 2011-12, by police force area and region, is shown in the table. These figures are provisional and have not been verified by forces.
| Number of domestic violence incidents, by police force area and region, 2011-12(1) | |
| 2011-12 | Number |
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| (1) Figures are provisional and have not been verified by forces. (2) Data not available. Force was not able to supply data at the time of collection. | |
Domestic Violence: Peterborough
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government is taking to reduce the incidence of domestic abuse in Peterborough constituency; and if she will make a statement. [124749]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government's Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan sets out our steps to tackle all forms of violence against women. This includes ring-fencing funding of nearly £40 million until 2015 towards specialist domestic and sexual violence services. As part of this, we are contributing £20,000 a year towards an Independent Domestic Violence Adviser in Peterborough.
Foreign Workers
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many companies applying for the right to sponsor overseas employees have had their application fee reimbursed after refusal. [122356]
Mr Harper: No sponsor has had their application fee reimbursed after refusal.
Sponsors pay a fee for the consideration of their licensing application.
If the UK Border Agency refuses, the application the fee is not refunded. Where there is evidence to show that the UK Border Agency made an error in considering
25 Oct 2012 : Column 1010W
the application, the prospective sponsor submits a new application and the UK Border Agency will process the new application without a fee.
Immigration: EU Nationals
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of other EU countries her Department has (a) told to leave the UK and have left voluntarily and (b) removed from the UK on the grounds that they no longer fulfil the criteria for the right to residence under Chapter III of Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of EU member states in each year since 2007. [124746]
Mr Harper: The information requested is not held centrally.
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirements there are for nationals of other EU countries and their associated family members who have moved to the UK under European Directive 2004/38/EC to register their presence in the UK; what evidence such people must present to satisfy the criteria for the right to reside in the UK; what sanctions there are for non-compliance with such registration requirements; and what follow-up checks are carried out to ensure such people continue to satisfy the criteria for the right to reside in the UK. [124747]
Mr Harper: Under Directive 2004/38/EC EEA nationals and their family members who wish to reside in the UK for longer than three months must be exercising 'treaty rights' as a worker, or self-employed person, a self-sufficient person or a student.
There is no mandatory requirement to register though many apply for confirmation of their right to reside as it is the only means to evidence this right. As registration is not mandatory there is no sanctions regime for non-compliance.
The UK Border Agency has strict requirements in place to ensure that EEA nationals and their family members prove that they are exercising a treaty right. For example, employed workers must provide evidence from their employer and payslips or bank statements as evidence of income.
EEA nationals and their family members' right to reside in the UK is conditional upon them continuing to meet the requirements of the directive. The UK Border Agency will undertake checks to ensure the requirements remain satisfied with each application for residence documentation.
National Policing Improvement Agency
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed by the National Policing Improvement Agency in work streams transferred to the Home Office on 1 October 2012 on (a) 1 January 2011, (b) 1 January 2012 and (c) 30 September 2012. [124389]
Damian Green: Of the functions that transferred to the Home Office on 1 October 2012:
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(a) On 1 January 2011 there were 717 staff involved in those functions.
(b) On 1 January 2012 there were 665 involved in those functions.
(c) On 30 September 2012, 623 staff transferred from the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to the Home Office under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE).
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are employed by her Department to undertake work transferred to her Department from the National Policing Improvement Agency on 1 October 2012. [124390]
Damian Green: Over 600 staff transferred from the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to the Home Office on 1 October 2012. The transfer took place under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.
The transfer was led jointly by the Home Office and the NPIA. The project team in the Home Office is staffed by four permanent Home Office civil servants who were dedicated to this transfer work. The NPIA's project team is made up of three dedicated NPIA staff. Both teams will be closed at the end of October 2012, and the staff will be reallocated.
These small teams were supported in elements of the project by other Home Office and NPIA staff (for example HR professionals).
Police and Crime Commissioners
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the likely level of turnout for the election on 15 November 2012 for police and crime commissioners. [124386]
Damian Green: The Government will not be making an estimate of the likely level of turnout for the elections.
However, every household will receive information about the elections from the Electoral Commission, and candidates will of course circulate information themselves. The Home Office has also launched an advertising campaign, including TV and radio, which we estimate will reach 85% of voters across the 41 forces to explain the reforms and encourage participation in the elections.
The Government want and will encourage everyone to have their say, and are confident that, come 15 November, the public will not only be aware of the elections, but also have the information they need to make informed choices.
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost of the advertising campaign for Police and Crime Commissioners was for (a) television, (b) radio, (c) print media, (d) online and (e) other media. [124388]
Damian Green: The Police and Crime Commissioner campaign runs until 24 October and while it is still live the costs may be subject to change. On this basis we are unable to provide final total costs for advertising media until the campaign has finished.
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Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2012, Official Report, columns 263-64W, on police and crime commissioners, what level of turnout in the police and crime commissioner elections she would view as acceptable. [124861]
Damian Green: The Government will not be making an estimate of the level of turnout for the elections.
The Government want and will encourage everyone to have their say, and is confident that, come 15 November, the public will not only be aware of the elections, but also have the information they need to make informed choices.
Police: Demonstrations
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy to require the police to consult with elected representatives of local communities on the route of marches and location of rallies of organisations promoting race hate. [124403]
Damian Green: The policing of marches and demonstrations is an operational matter for chief officers. The Association of Chief Police Officers' guidance "Manual of Guidance on Keeping the Peace" (2010) makes clear that police forces should engage with all key stakeholders and affected communities to build trust and confidence in the policing plan.
Police: Lambeth
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the number of (a) Metropolitan police officers and (b) police community support officers serving on Safer Neighbourhoods teams in Lambeth was in May (i) 2000, (ii) 2001, (iii) 2002, (iv) 2003, (v) 2004, (vi) 2005, (vii) 2006, (viii) 2007, (ix) 2008, (x) 2009, (xi) 2010, (xii) 2011 and (xiii) 2012; [123620]
(2) how many vacancies existed for Safer Neighbourhood teams in Lambeth in May (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003, (e) 2004, (f) 2005, (g) 2006, (h) 2007, (i) 2008, (j) 2009, (k) 2010, (l) 2011 and (m) 2012. [123621]
Damian Green: The requested information is not collected by the Home Office.
Prisons: Drugs
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were referred to treatment for using MCAT in the last year for which figures are available. [123488]
Mr Jeremy Browne [holding answer 18 October 2012]: Information is not collected centrally about the number of users of the drug MCAT (mephedrone) within the criminal justice system. The most recently published data from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System show that in 2010-11, 461 adults and 411 young people identified MCAT as their principal drug but the data do not record whether a person was within the criminal justice system at the time of treatment.
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Treaties: European Union
Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of whether, in the case of the opt-out under article 10(4) of the Protocol to the Treaty on the Funding of the European Union is exercised, any measures that are opted back into would be subject to the ratification processes laid out in the European Union Act 2011 ex nova. [124570]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 24 October 2012]: If the UK opts out en masse pursuant to Article 10(4) of Protocol No 36 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the ratification processes set out in the European Union Act 2011 will not be applicable to any measure that the UK may decide to opt back in to. This is because the European Union Act 2011 sets out restrictions relating to very specific areas and the measures on the 2014 opt-out list do not fall within its scope. For example, the opt-out decision clearly flows from existing Treaty obligations so any decision to opt back in to any measures would not require a Treaty change.
Treasury
Aerospace Industry: Investment
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what fiscal steps his Department is taking to assist the UK aerospace industry to invest in emerging technologies; [122247]
(2) what fiscal steps his Department is taking to encourage long-term investment in the UK aerospace industry. [122248]
Danny Alexander: The Government has taken fiscal measures to support the UK's position as a global leader in aerospace. Budget 2012 announced £60 million for the creation of a UK centre for aerodynamics to support research and innovation in aerospace technology. At the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2012, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills announced details of how that funding will be used, alongside £120 million of new investment from government and industry in aerospace research and technology.
The industry is also able to bid for support from wider funds such as the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain initiative and the Regional Growth Fund. In addition, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre, bringing together seven institutions of excellence to better support UK manufacturing and assist UK businesses to innovate and bring new cutting edge commercial products to market, is expected to benefit companies in the aerospace sector.
More generally, the aerospace sector will benefit from the Government's policies to create the most competitive tax system in the G20 and a more educated work force that is the most flexible in Europe.
Broadband
Ms Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any Barnett consequentials will arise from the sale of the 4G spectrum licence. [123061]
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Danny Alexander: The Barnett formula applies to public spending allocation, not to general Government receipts. Therefore no Barnett consequentials will arise from the sale of the 4G spectrum licence.
Arch Cru Investment Management
Mr Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent assessment is of the adequacy of the compensation offered to CF Arch Cru investors; and what assessment he has made of (a) the role played by (i) Capita, (ii) HSBC and (iii) BNY Mellon in the operation of CF Arch Cru funds and (b) the use of the Channel Islands Stock Exchange for the listing of open-ended investment companies. [124877]
Sajid Javid: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is responsible for the regulation of financial services firms and operates independently from Government under the powers given to it in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. HM Treasury sets the legal framework for the regulation of financial services, but does not have investigative or prosecuting powers of its own.
The FSA has been investigating the issues surrounding the suspension and winding-up of the Arch Cru funds and on 21 June 2011 announced a £54 million package for investors. The Government is not able to comment on the outcome of the FSA's investigation. As the independent regulator, it is in the FSA's remit to provide investors with a fair and reasonable payment scheme. Considering factors such as the number of investors, the complexity of the matter, the number of parties involved and the difficulties consumers may otherwise face, the FSA believe this payment scheme to be the best outcome for investors.
Employee Ownership Scheme
Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer during the financial year 2017-18 of the employee ownership scheme announced on 8 October 2012; what estimate he has made of the cumulative cost of the scheme by April 2018; and what estimate he has made of (a) the likely sums foregone in capital gains tax revenue and (b) the likely other costs of the scheme to the public purse in each case. [124894]
Mr Gauke: The Government expect that the scheme could cost up to approximately £100 million in 2017-18 in forgone capital gains tax receipts due to employees taking up the new employee owner status.
This initial estimate will be refined following the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills consultation on the implementation of the new employee owner status during which the Government will engage with employers and employees to explore the likely impacts and take-up of the status in more detail. This consultation opened on 18 October and closes on 8 November. An annual breakdown of the estimated Exchequer cost of the policy will then be published at the autumn statement on 5 December 2012.
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Infrastructure
Esther McVey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps he is taking to monitor and ensure the implementation of the National Infrastructure Project after 2015; [117693]
(2) what plans he has for reinvestment of the infrastructure efficiency saving; [117694]
(3) what advice his Department has issued to local authorities on funding of investment in local infrastructure; [117697]
(4) what advice his Department provides to public bodies on sources of finance for infrastructure projects. [117698]
Danny Alexander: The National Infrastructure Plan sets out a pipeline of planned investment in UK infrastructure, including over 500 projects and the programmes, worth over £250 billion to 2015 and beyond. The infrastructure investment pipeline data will be refreshed annually. In order to deliver the most significant infrastructure projects on time and as efficiently as possible, I chair a Cabinet Sub-Committee on infrastructure to ensure that all Departments play their part in tackling delays and addressing key issues. An update on progress was published alongside this year's Budget and the Treasury will be publishing a further progress update around the time of the autumn statement.
The Government are working with industry to put in place mechanisms through which real reductions in the costs of delivering infrastructure can be achieved and sustained—to enable taxpayers and utility bill payers to get more for less. Efficiency savings have been planned for in Government Departments' budgets, and further savings made beyond this are generally reallocated with Departments.
Ultimately, local authorities are autonomous bodies that make their own investment decisions. However, the Government is committed to supporting private sector investment in local infrastructure and wider economic development. For instance, the Growing Places Fund will provide £730 million to Local Enterprise Partnerships and £150 million has been allocated to support three Tax Increment Financing Type 2 projects. The Government has provided stronger incentives for infrastructure investment though the ‘City Deals' process and through the introduction of 24 new Enterprise Zones across the country. Furthermore, the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allows local authorities to charge on new developments in their area to help fund infrastructure.
Infrastructure UK, a unit within HM Treasury, provides finance and commercial expertise to the wider Treasury and other public organisations, in support of the delivery of major infrastructure projects where there is capital investment from the public sector. Local Partnerships, a joint venture between the Local Government Association and HM Treasury, provides commercial expertise and for local public bodies, including local authorities.
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the likely total cost will be of all planned Government-funded infrastructure projects in the (a) London area and (b) rest of the UK in the next six years. [124483]
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Danny Alexander: In November 2011 the Government published a pipeline of over 500 infrastructure projects as part of the National Infrastructure Plan. This pipeline is estimated to be worth over £250 billion to 2015 and beyond, and almost 20% of the projects contained within it are expected to be wholly publically funded. These figures are available via the HM Treasury website, and will be updated around the time of the autumn statement in December.
National Loan Guarantee Scheme: Scotland
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many applications the Scottish Government has made under the UK Guarantees Scheme for loans, guarantees, repairs, operation costs or any other kind of financial assistance in relation to capital or public investment projects in the current financial year; [122282]
(2) what specific schemes under the National Infrastructure Plan 2011 will apply to Scotland; and what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on funding such schemes. [122283]
Danny Alexander: The UK Guarantee Scheme uses the strength of the UK balance sheet to help secure the required finance for crucial infrastructure projects across the UK, including eligible projects in Scotland.
Any projects which are listed in the National Infrastructure Plan 2011 are eligible to apply against the published criteria, including those projects which are based in Scotland.
Private sector project sponsors can apply to the UK Guarantee Scheme directly. In the case of public sector infrastructure projects, the project sponsor should initially apply to the sponsor authority. Officials are working closely with the Scottish Government to identify those public sector projects that could be eligible to apply for the UK Guarantee Scheme.